Five days after a rocky start against the San Diego Padres, Chicago Cubs starting pitcher Jason Marquis showed a nationwide audience why he has garnered the nickname "Bi-Polar Betty."Marquis (4-3) threw 6.1 innings of three-hit ball as the Cubs beat the Los Angeles Dodgers, 3-1. Marquis outdueled Dodgers starter Brad Penny, who put forth a quality start for Joe Torre's gang. Penny's winless streak now moves to seven games.
The North Siders moved their ML-best record (40-24) ... remember, they didn't pick up their 40th win in 2007 'til July 1 when Marquis picked up the victory against the Milwaukee Brewers. Coincidentally (or is it ironically?) I was in Las Vegas for my 21st birthday where I put down a $21 bet on Marquis (who wears No. 21) which happens to be my favorite number.
Second baseman Mark DeRosa powered the defending NL Central champs to victory by going 3-for-5 with a home-run, two RBIs and two runs scored. "DeRo" was the only Cub to collect multiple hits in the game.
Reliever Carlos Marmol relieved Marquis in the 7th inning with the game on the line and proceeded to strike out Dodger outfielder Matt Kemp and retire third baseman Blake DeWitt to end the inning thanks in part to another Gold-Glove caliber effort by first baseman Derrek Lee. Closer Kerry Wood struck out two Dodgers en route to picking up his 18th save.
The first-place Cubs have Monday off before returning to action Tuesday night against the Atlanta Braves at Wrigley Field.
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